1.3 Writing about graphics

Graphics need explanation. The data they are based on and their background must be described and explained. It is essential to know where the data come from, why they were collected, and how they were collected. The more knowledge a viewer has of what the data represent, the easier it is for them to see what the graphics drawn from them show (cf. Chapter 27).

Viewers of graphics need to know what the aims were in drawing them and they should get guidance on what can be seen in the graphics. They have to check for themselves that any conclusions make sense, in terms of both the context and the data. Checking information derived from graphics is a crucial part of working with graphics and should be discussed a lot more (cf. §32.3).

Outlining how a graphic has been drawn—the variables selected, the graphic form chosen, the format specified, the overall layout design—provides additional insights. These details describe the process taken to achieve the aims, offering supporting clarification.